510.559.1444, ext. 34         kathie@kathieberg.com

The Buying Process

The buying process begins with understanding your goals - the size of house you need, the architectural styles you find attractive, the neighborhoods that you would like to live in - and by assessing your *particular* reasons for buying a home.

We discuss general market conditions, and go over recent sales data in different neighborhoods. We make detailed profiles of relevant East Bay communities - go over transportation, schools, shopping and other quality of life issues. I do a "Buyer's Prep" with you and seek to demystify the buying process: we discuss a typical time-line or buying a homes, explore strategies for writing offers and negotiating with sellers, go over the financial aspects of home-buying and outline escrow procedures. We ensure that that you are matched with a reliable mortgage-broker, are pre-approved for a loan, and are well-equipped to write offers on property.

I keep you apprised of inventory as it comes on the market and together we look at homes that interest you. We request disclosure packets for properties, thoroughly examine their history and condition, and write offers when suitable.

We strive to make your offer competitive: You price your bid in accord with market conditions and in a way that makes fiscal sense to you, and we frame the contingencies - the conditions that your offer is based on - wisely, complementing your interests with the desires of the sellers.

I arrange all relevant inspections and negotiate the purchase on your behalf. I ensure that the considerable flow of documents between the buyers and sellers moves smoothly and that a Title company adequately undertakes all escrow procedures.

We schedule a final walk-through of the property, and arrange for a signing of legal documents at the Title company. I assist you in finding insurance, contracting movers and making sure that your move to your new home happens smoothly, and on schedule.

And after this process is completed, our relationship continues: I usually find myself offering advice on all aspects of home-ownership years after a sale. My clients frequently contact me for information on home-repair and maintenance, for referrals to trades-people and - when looking to refinance - for referrals to mortgage brokers and lenders. Most clients refer their friends and contacts - personal referrals account for nearly ALL my business - and stay in touch socially. And, when my clients are ready to move to a different home, they typically ask me to represent them again.

Please feel free to contact me if you interested in buying a home, if you have questions about the buying process, or if you just want to know more about current market conditions.